Phil Cousineau on the process of dreaming up journeys

“Reading old travel books or novels set in faraway places, spinning globes, unfolding maps, playing world music, eating in ethnic restaurants, meeting friends in cafes whose calls hold the soul-talk of decades — all these things are part of never-ending travel practice, not unlike doing scales on a piano, shooting free-throws, or meditating. These are the exercises that help lure the longing out of the soul and honor the brooding-over of unhatched ideas for journeys.”
–Phil Cousineau, The Art of Pilgrimage (1998)

Posted by | Comments (2)  | October 14, 2003
Category: Travel Quote of the Day


2 Responses to “Phil Cousineau on the process of dreaming up journeys”

  1. Dee Says:

    Sometimes I am so far away from where I really am (especially when I’m home in the US) and I have no problems dreaming up journeys. But I recentlly wrote this to remind a friend that all our dreams are different:

    “Dreams don’t necessarily come true only in travel packages, they sometimes come true right here in front of you, everyday. The tragedy is not recognizing your dreams when they do come true, so listen to your heart…”

    Yet for me, my dreams are out there and I press on. The more I do, the more I realize that it is (paradoxically) a permanent fixture of my very being. My existence will always be transient and, therefore, my life will have to follow. Partners, family, children, friends, all will have to surpass physical barriers in our relationship. They will also come along for part of the way, some will leave forever, more will be found. It is this alternating rythm of my life that defines me and I relent.

    “Man struggles to find life outside himself, unaware that the life he is seeking is within him.”
    – Kahlil Gibran, The Awakened Soul

  2. Michele Peterson Says:

    Add to that list, old Classics Illustrated comic books. Who could be unmoved by the story of The Moonstone? A yellow diamond removed from the Moon-God’s forehead each night and guarded by three Brahmin priests until the end of time.
    Or how about the picture art by Rudy Nappi on the old Nancy Drew books….